Bridget Carleton made headlines as the first overall pick in the WNBA expansion draft. Surprisingly, she’s not heading to the Toronto Tempo, but to the Portland Fire. This exciting draft marks the beginning of a new chapter for both teams as they gear up for their inaugural seasons.
Carleton played key roles with the Minnesota Lynx, helping them reach the WNBA Finals in 2024 and clinching the league’s best record in 2025. The draft itself had an international vibe, with many top picks coming from outside the U.S. Julie Allemand, a Belgian point guard, was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks, and French player Carla Leite followed to Portland, showcasing the diverse talent in women’s basketball.
Both new teams selected 11 players each. The expansion draft allowed them to build competitive rosters while also pulling from the established teams. Interestingly, every WNBA team, except the Chicago Sky (who made trades), lost at least one player during the draft.
Here’s a quick look at the rosters:
Toronto Tempo:
- Julie Allemand (Guard, Los Angeles Sparks)
- Nyara Sabally (Center, New York Liberty)
- Marina Mabrey (Guard/Forward, Connecticut Sun)
- Aaliyah Nye (Guard/Forward, Las Vegas Aces)
- Lexi Held (Guard, Phoenix Mercury)
- María Conde (Forward, Golden State Valkyries)
- Maria Kliundikova (Forward/Center, Minnesota Lynx)
- Adja Kane (Forward, New York Liberty)
- Nikolina Milić (Forward/Center, Connecticut Sun)
- Kitija Laksa (Guard/Forward, Phoenix Mercury)
- Kristy Wallace (Guard/Forward, Indiana Fever)
Portland Fire:
- Bridget Carleton (Guard/Forward, Minnesota Lynx)
- Carla Leite (Guard, Golden State Valkyries)
- Luisa Geiselsöder (Forward/Center, Dallas Wings)
- Emily Engstler (Forward, Washington Mystics)
- Maya Caldwell (Guard/Forward, Atlanta Dream)
- Chloe Bibby (Forward, Indiana Fever)
- Haley Jones (Guard/Forward, Dallas Wings)
- Nyadiew Puoch (Guard/Forward, Atlanta Dream)
- Sarah Ashlee Barker (Guard/Forward, Los Angeles Sparks)
- Sug Sutton (Guard/Forward, Washington Mystics)
- Nika Mühl (Guard, Seattle Storm)
Toronto’s head coach, Sandy Brondello, reunites with Nyara Sabally, a player she coached during their championship run in New York. Ottawa native, Monica Wright Rogers, who is the Tempo’s general manager, expressed excitement about building a team that emphasizes versatility and competitiveness right from the start.
In recent years, the WNBA has seen a steady increase in viewership and popularity. According to a 2023 report from the Nieslen Sports, the league’s television ratings have seen a significant rise, with an increase of over 30% during the last season. This expansion and the formation of new teams underscore the growing interest in women’s sports.
Social media buzz reflects this enthusiasm, with hashtags like #WNBADraft trending as fans eagerly discuss the impact of new players on their teams. The ongoing conversation showcases a supportive community keen on celebrating female athletes.
As the league continues evolving, these two teams will play a crucial role in its future, fostering local engagement and nurturing talent. The excitement around the expansion underscores a promising trajectory for women’s basketball in North America.
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Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries, Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo, WNBA
